New Delhi, Jul 11 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday urged New Zealand businesses to deepen their engagement with India, describing the country as "not only a market" but "a launchpad for global growth," as he addressed a select gathering of CEOs and business leaders alongside New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon during an India-New Zealand business event in Auckland.
The interaction came during Modi's landmark visit to New Zealand—the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in four decades—and followed the elevation of bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership, with both countries unveiling a Roadmap to 2030 that includes an ambitious target of doubling two-way trade to NZD 7 billion (approximately Rs 35,000 crore) by the end of the decade.
Addressing the business community, Modi said India and New Zealand share democratic values, respect for the rule of law, diversity and a common commitment to sustainable development, providing a strong foundation for a modern and forward-looking economic partnership.
He described the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement as a landmark initiative that would add "depth and dynamism" to bilateral economic relations by creating new opportunities in market access, investment, services, technology cooperation and talent mobility.
Highlighting India's economic transformation, the Prime Minister said the country's sustained high growth, young and skilled workforce, expanding middle class, digital revolution, next-generation infrastructure development and ongoing economic reforms make it one of the world's most attractive investment destinations.
"India is not only a market. India is a launchpad for global growth. Together, let us take this economic partnership to new heights!" Modi said in a post on social media platform X after the event.
He noted that political stability and India's consistent growth trajectory have positioned the country as a major contributor to global economic expansion and invited New Zealand investors and businesses to become partners in India's development journey.
Modi identified infrastructure, civil aviation, logistics, clean energy, urban mobility, water management, waste management and the digital economy as sectors offering substantial opportunities for collaboration. He also highlighted India's vibrant start-up ecosystem and called for stronger private-sector partnerships in innovation, financial technology and emerging technologies.
Drawing attention to complementary strengths, the Prime Minister said New Zealand's expertise in dairy science, horticulture and forestry could be combined with India's vast consumer market, food processing infrastructure and agri-tech talent to build globally competitive food value chains.
Encouraging businesses from both countries to scale up investments and commercial partnerships, Modi said stronger private-sector engagement would be critical to achieving the shared objective of doubling bilateral trade to NZD 7 billion by 2030.
"The India-New Zealand economic partnership can become a model for inclusive and sustainable trade and a platform for innovation and prosperity," he said.
The business interaction formed an important component of Modi's official engagements in Auckland, where the two Prime Ministers have sought to significantly broaden bilateral cooperation across trade, defence, maritime security, agriculture, education, technology, sports and people-to-people exchanges.
The strategic upgrade in ties and renewed focus on economic engagement reflect a shared commitment by New Delhi and Wellington to strengthen cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and unlock the untapped potential of their commercial relationship. Business leaders from both sides are expected to play a central role in translating the political momentum generated during the visit into concrete investments, technology partnerships and long-term trade expansion. UNI SKA AAB